Tin Drum

Tin Drum is the fifth and final studio album by English band Japan, released in November 1981 by Virgin Records. Tin Drum continued the band’s now-established mix of electronic elements with traditional instrumentation, but leans far more towards Far Eastern and Orientialist influences than any of their previous albums. Lead guitarist Rob Dean had departed in May 1981 and vocalist/songwriter/second guitarist David Sylvian had taken on his duties, which had been very greatly reduced by the band’s change of musical direction. Brooklyn Rail writer Paul Grimstad described the album’s sound as “mannered cubist pop”. Musically, Tin Drum was a meticulously crafted blend of complex rhythms, keyboard textures, and Mick Karn’s bass playing. Keyboardist Richard Barbieri recalled that recording the album “was a very laborious process, but creatively satisfying… it was the first album where we actually produced something… completely original.” Also important for the band finding their own unique sound was their work with Steve Nye, who had replaced John Punter as the band’s producer.